As the golden rays of summer begin to shine and the open road beckons, the thrill of a summer road trip stirs in our hearts. Whether it’s a journey to an idyllic beach, an adventure in the mountains, or a cross-country tour to visit loved ones, nothing quite compares to the freedom and joy that a summer road trip brings. However, choosing the perfect vehicle can make the difference between an enjoyable and grueling journey.
From convertible sports cars that let you bask in the summer sun to spacious SUVs and minivans offering room for family, friends, and luggage, we’ve compiled a list that caters to every need and desire.
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Porsche 911 Carrera 4S Cabriolet
If you’re looking for a sportier summer road trip, the Porsche 911 Carrera 4S Cabriolet offers an unmatched experience. This convertible delivers thrilling performance with its 443 horsepower engine. Despite its performance capabilities, it doesn’t compromise on comfort, with its plush seats and refined suspension. Its compact size and precise handling make it perfect for winding coastal or mountain roads.
Mercedes-Benz S-Class Cabriolet
As a convertible, the Mercedes-Benz S-Class Cabriolet offers an unrivaled summer road trip experience. With a quick folding roof, the Cabriolet lets you enjoy the open air and sunshine whenever you please. Its interior is exceptionally luxurious and spacious, ensuring absolute comfort during long journeys. The smooth, powerful engine makes highway cruising a breeze. Additionally, its innovative driver-assist systems provide a safer, less fatiguing drive.
Land Rover Discovery
The Land Rover Discovery is a top choice if you’re planning a road trip to a more adventurous destination. It provides an impressive 88.3 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded, giving you plenty of room for luggage and camping gear. The Discovery’s 4-wheel drive and Terrain Response systems can handle any road condition you encounter. Its ruggedness doesn’t sacrifice comfort, though, with its luxurious cabin and advanced infotainment system.
Ford Expedition
The Ford Expedition is an ideal choice for family road trips. It offers best-in-class second and third-row legroom and up to a maximum of 121.5 cubic feet of cargo space. This means plenty of room for all your family, luggage, and road trip essentials. Its EcoBoost engine provides enough power for easy highway driving and towing, and its advanced SYNC 3 infotainment system ensures entertainment for the whole family.
BMW Z4
The BMW Z4 is a roadster that combines the joy of open-air driving with the comfort of a grand tourer. Its quick-folding soft top lets you switch between a coupe and a convertible in seconds. The sporty handling and zesty engines make every mile exciting, and its Comfort Mode ensures smooth rides over long distances. Its iDrive infotainment system is easy to use and loaded with features to enhance your road trip.
Honda Odyssey
The Honda Odyssey is another fantastic option for family road trips. With spacious and comfortable seating for up to eight people and up to 158 cubic feet of cargo space, the Odyssey ensures a relaxing journey for everyone. It also comes equipped with an array of standard tech and safety features, including the Honda Sensing suite of driver-assistance tech and an infotainment system with an 8-inch display, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto.
Audi A5 Cabriolet
The Audi A5 Cabriolet offers a sublime blend of comfort, performance, and the pleasure of open-top driving. It features Audi’s Quattro all-wheel-drive system, making it a capable performer in various driving conditions. The interior is well-appointed, with leather seats, a user-friendly infotainment system, and plenty of tech features. Plus, with the roof down, it’s the perfect vehicle for enjoying the summer sun and breeze on your road trip.
Toyota Highlander
The Toyota Highlander is a fantastic option for long-distance trips, offering plenty of space for passengers and cargo alike. A spacious and well-designed cabin comfortably seats up to eight passengers and provides up to 84.3 cubic feet of cargo space. Its hybrid model offers impressive fuel efficiency, which is great for long trips. Additionally, it comes with a user-friendly infotainment system and a suite of advanced safety features.
Mazda MX-5 Miata
The Mazda MX-5 Miata offers a sporty, convertible option for a road trip. Although it’s a compact vehicle, it ensures every drive is a thrill with its peppy engine and agile handling. The Miata’s quick-folding soft top allows you to enjoy open-air driving easily. Despite its focus on performance, the Miata offers a surprisingly smooth and comfortable ride, making it great for longer journeys. While not the flashiest, its infotainment system is straightforward and easy to use.
Chrysler Pacifica
The Chrysler Pacifica is an ideal minivan for a summer road trip. It provides a smooth, car-like drive and has ample space, comfortably seating up to eight with plenty of room for luggage. With up to 140.5 cubic feet of cargo space, you can pack all the essentials and more. It comes with Stow ‘n Go seats that fold into the floor for extra versatility. The Pacifica also boasts an excellent Uconnect infotainment system with a crisp 10.1-inch touchscreen and a host of connectivity features.
This article originally appeared on MyCarMakesNoise.
